Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. Parkinson’s can cause tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems, it is called a “movement disorder.” But constipation, depression, memory problems and other non-movement symptoms also can be part of Parkinson’s so it is tough to nail down a specific profile as it affects everyone differently. Parkinson’s is a lifelong and progressive disease, which means that over time, symptoms slowly worsen.

Common Parkinson’s symptoms include tremor at rest, rigidity (stiffness), bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and postural instability (lack of balance). Generally, at least two of these four symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of Parkinson’sDisease to be made.

According to the National Institute on Aging, “Some cases of Parkinson’s disease appear to be hereditary, and a few cases can be traced to specific genetic variants. While genetics is thought to play a role in Parkinson’s, in most cases the disease does not seem to run in families. Many researchers now believe that Parkinson’s results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins.”

Science hasn’t revealed the exact causes of Parkinson’s, but many scientists do believe that a combination of environmental and genetic factors can contribute. It is estimated that genetics cause about 10% to 15% of all Parkinson’s.

Read more about

The Genetic Link to Parkinson’s Disease

at Johns Hopkins Medicine

In the early stages of the disease, it can be challenging to distinguish symptoms that point towards Parkinson’s from those of similar conditions. Like Parkinson’s disease (PD), many other movement disorders lack definitive tests for diagnosis, relying instead on a person’s medical history and a physician’s physical examination. Some conditions that may be misidentified as Parkinson’s include:

• Essential tremor: This is the most common movement disorder characterized by involuntary shaking of the hands, head, or voice, particularly during activities like writing, eating, or speaking.
• Atypical parkinsonism: This group of conditions presents with movement symptoms similar to Parkinson’s but also includes additional symptoms not typical of the disease. These conditions may progress more rapidly than Parkinson’s and may not respond as well to medication. Examples include Lewy body dementia, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, and progressive supranuclear palsy.
• Medication-induced parkinsonism: This occurs when certain medications, rather than Parkinson’s disease itself, lead to movement symptoms such as tremors, slowness, and stiffness. It commonly arises from long-term use of medications that block the dopamine system, such as those used for schizophrenia or major depression, as well as certain anti-nausea medications.
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH): This condition results from an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, leading to symptoms such as difficulty walking, cognitive changes that can impair daily activities, and urinary incontinence. Diagnosis of NPH typically involves brain imaging and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

This is by no means a definitive list.

Always contact your neurologist for more information.

The Parkinson’s Foundation is a great place to start.  Read the Newly Diagnosed Kit, visit Parkinson.org or call the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1-800-473-4636.

Also, you can download Navigating Parkinson’s: Your Guide to the Early Years from the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

There are some great resources out there. Take a look at these Facebook groups:

• Life With Parkinson’s
• Parkinson’s Support Group-A Journey Together
• DBS FAQS – What to Expect with Deep Brain Stimulation
• DBS Patient Support